Late maturing breeds do better

Late maturing breeds did better in Teagasc research on early finishing of spring-born suckled steers, at 18-20 months of age, off pasture in the autumn.

This option may reduce costs of production by eliminating the final housing period. But as most suckler steers are late-maturing, achieving an adequate carcass fat cover at a younger age may be challenging.

Research was undertaken at Teagasc Grange to determine growth and carcass of early and late-maturing steers slaughtered before the second wintering period.